What causes bunions?

The base cause of a bunion is an imbalance in weight and pressure upon the joints and tendons of the foot. The joint of the big toe becomes unstable due to these forces, and eventually shifts the bone to form the hard bump that sticks out from the side.

The imbalance responsible for bunions can be inherited through one’s family history, or come as the result of a deformity present from birth or an injury that affects the strength of the tendons. It is not fully clear whether wearing high heels or narrow shoes can cause a bunion, but they definitely help contribute toward making an existing bunion worse.

Whether you have had a bunion for ages or feel like one may be developing, it’s never too late or too soon to seek expert care. The doctors at Martin Foot and Ankle can help relieve the pain of an old bunion or keep a more recent one from growing worse. Call (717) 757-3537 to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in York, Hanover, Lancaster and Lititz, PA.